More Nutcracker Photos...and then it's time for Canton!

Oh how I wish I was better about taking photos...but our set up for the shows is always so flurried that I'm pulled in 14 different directions.

Josh sent me photos that captured some of our efforts at the Nutcracker Market that took place a couple weeks ago. Thanks Josh!

Our biggest hit of the show.....Snow Penguins! We sold out within hours.....luckily I've been able to get my hands on the last of the remaining inventory! You will find them at the store this week, but be warned I have an extremely limited supply and they are sure to go quickly!


These were the catalyst for my favorite quote of the show when a fellow vendor, Kevin Wenzel, of Wiseman House Chocolates, thanked me for being "creatively courageous"!!

Perhaps it was just a nice way of saying, "You're a nut"! : )

Love this antique coffee dispenser! We filled it with snow and ornaments!

The willow chandelier is to die for. Those of you that have shopped with us over the years will remember that we carried these several years back in 2005 & 2006 until we lost our supplier. But, now thanks to Fred and Peggy, we have a fresher version of these beautiful chandies! Their work was a real crowd pleaser!

We attached her nests to chair ties that I fashioned from bed throws. I cut the throw into equal sections and presto....chair gowns!! Yes, we carry the throws in the store. And although we did sell out at the Nutcracker, thankfully we've gotten in a fresh supply just in time for First Monday! You're gonna love them! See how pretty the throws look on the bed (above)....we even used one as a dust ruffle! I also used the fabric mixed with burlap in our own exclusive pillow design!

You can find the pillows and throws, along with the wonderful smocked top drapes and the white chandies in the store too! (below)

We've carried the tuxedo Penguins that you see displayed atop of a ladder for the past 3 years...but they were still quite popular! We have just a few of these left.

This vintage pot rack was perfect to house our prism ornaments....I love the mix of the iron and glass. If you didn't get to shop with us at the Nutcracker, don't fret! We have been rebuilding and restocking the store since our return from Houston and will be ready for your visit this week! I was there until 1am this morning and I am so pleased with the way it looks!

We can't wait to see you during the rapidly approaching First Monday show.

Visit us Thursday - Sunday, Dec 3rd - 6th!

It's the last show of the year and you won't want to miss it!!

xoxo
LaurieAnna

Best in Show!!

Wow! What a week! Record setting crowds, record setting sales, and the Nutcracker Gift Market "Best in Show" award for the second year in a row!
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Everything about the Nutcracker show was phenomenal! Thursday was our best selling day ever.......I mean since we've been in business "ever"!! Just off the charts amazing!!

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We worked into the late hours creating our booth and the hard work payed off! For the second year in a row we were one of three booths out of 350 plus vendors awarded the Best in Show title.

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Adding to the excitement of the award and the outstanding sales, I had the pleasure of meeting some amazing people, two of which were Ed Fulkerson and Michael Breddin of Leftover's Antiques. This was their first year at the show. We talked shop for awhile and I must say they are the nicest guys and so talented! They were among the three of us awarded "Best in Show"! Congrats to them! I'm thankful to have finally met these Texas gems!

Leftover's booth

We also recieved a visit from Karen McCord, Cheryl Lehane and Deela Roe of Zapp Hall as well as Jackie Sharbrough of the Urban Market. What delightful ladies! Actually, we had lots of friendly visits from several show promoters....so it looks like we may be adding some new things to our calendar ....2010 will be eventful for us. We're extremely excited about the opportunities that await us in the coming year!

Now, it's time to unload the trucks and trailers and get things hopping for the next First Monday show. I plan to get back into full blogging swing as my schedule loosens a bit from the rigorous Holiday show schedule!

Thanks so much for your continued support....you are the very reason we do this and why we've not only rocked right on through this flawed economy, but are actually thriving in spite of it!

Blessings,

LaurieAnna



Houston Ballet Nutcracker Gift Market.....here we come!

What a fabulous show First Monday proved to be! Certainly worthy of a good post, but my life is completely crazy right now....no rest for the weary!! We rolled right out of the Canton show and began loading the trucks and trailers for .....drum roll please.....the Houston Ballet NUTCRACKER MARKET!! Hubby and I have not had a day off in weeks!! But no complaining....we're excited!!

We're all buzzing, the trailers and big trucks are so full that it's almost comical! So much so, that last night we were pulling off things and trying to condense so we could make it all fit!

We're taking everything but the house and will begin unloading tomorrow morning at Reliant Center baby!! We're ready ......are you? We can't wait to see you.....here's all the scoop:

Nutcracker Market begins on Wednesday night, November 11th, with a $150 per person preview party and ends on Sunday, November 15th. You can get more info at the Houston Ballet website. If you've never been, you are truly missing out!! It's the best show of the year! If you are planning to attend, be sure to drop by and see us at booth 332. We're in the same spot as last year.

I will try to post a couple times before the show, but no promises. However, I plan to share lots of pics when I return along with a fun post about the lil Canton Cottage that I will I've been planning but not had time to finish!!

Have a great week!

Blessings,

LaurieAnna